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Published on: February 9, 2011
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus schleiferi subspecies coagulans associated with otitis externa and pyoderma in
Joel André Palomino-Farfán1, Luis Guillermo Alvarez Vega1, Sonia Yenny Calle Espinoza1
1Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, National University of San Marcos, Lima, Perú.
Background:
Dermatological infections are the most common cases in the daily pet clinic. Since its discovery in 1990, Staphylococcus schleiferi subspecies coagulans have been reported more frequently in canine otitis externa and pyoderma and even in cases of zoonoses.
Aim:
Detect the presence of S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans of canine otitis externa and pyoderma, its antimicrobial resistance, and the presence of mecAgen.
Methods:
Three-hundred-thirty-one swabs from dogs with otitis externa and pyoderma were cultured on bacteriological agar for bacterial isolation and subsequent biochemical and molecular identification. The identified S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans were evaluated for their antimicrobial susceptibility using the Kirby-Bauer technique, including an oxacillin disk, and subsequently, a PCR was run to identify which ones had the mecA gene.
Results:
Thirty-four (22.97%) and twelve (6.56%) isolates were identified as S. schleiferi subspecies coagulans from otitis externa and pyoderma, respectively. Fluoroquinolones, the most widely used group of antibiotics in Peru, showed a susceptibility of 58.82% (20/34) in cases of otitis externa and 50% (6/12) in cases of canine pyoderma. Meanwhile, nitrofurantoin was the antibiotic with the best efficacy in both cases, with 97% (33/34) in otitis externa and 83% (10/12) in pyoderma. Furthermore, 40% (13/34) of S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans isolated from otitis externa were resistant to methicillin, and 85.29% (29/34) had the mecA gene. On the other hand, the only methicillin-resistant isolate from pyoderma was also the only one with a mecA gene.
Conclusion:
This study is the first report of S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans in Peru, finding a higher percentage than reported in other South American countries.
Insights
Staphylococcus schleiferi subspecies coagulans is increasingly found in canine skin infections in Peru. Many isolates show resistance to common antibiotics and carry the mecA gene, indicating potential for methicillin resistance.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Dermatological infections are common in veterinary clinics.
- Staphylococcus schleiferi subspecies coagulans has emerged as a significant pathogen in canine otitis externa and pyoderma since its discovery in 1990.
- This bacterium has also been implicated in zoonotic infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect Staphylococcus schleiferi subspecies coagulans in canine otitis externa and pyoderma.
- To determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns of these isolates.
- To identify the presence of the mecA gene, associated with methicillin resistance.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial isolation from 331 canine ear and skin swabs.
- Biochemical and molecular identification of Staphylococcus schleiferi subspecies coagulans.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using Kirby-Bauer method and oxacillin disk.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the mecA gene.
Main Results:
- Staphylococcus schleiferi subspecies coagulans was identified in 22.97% of otitis externa and 6.56% of pyoderma cases.
- Nitrofurantoin showed the highest efficacy (97% and 83%), while fluoroquinolones had lower susceptibility (58.82% and 50%).
- 40% of otitis externa isolates and one pyoderma isolate were methicillin-resistant, with 85.29% of otitis externa isolates carrying the mecA gene.
Conclusions:
- This study represents the first report of Staphylococcus schleiferi subspecies coagulans in Peru.
- The prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns highlight the importance of this pathogen in canine dermatological infections in the region.
- The high prevalence of the mecA gene warrants further investigation into methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus schleiferi subspecies coagulans in Peru.
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